Applying for a Grant
To apply for a grant, please follow these steps:
1. Select the right fund.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation operates over 400 funds and awards grants to a wide range of nonprofit organizations in Kent County. Below, under step 2 you will find the six categories that guide our Fund for Community Good (general fund) grantmaking decisions. Click the link under a category to determine if your program is a good fit.
If your program does not fit in to one of the categories under step 2, please review the criteria for our other specific-topic funds:
Nonprofit Technical Assistance Fund
2. Review the Requirements
If you're applying for the Fund for Community Good, review the requirements and identify the right category.
Fund for Community Good General Requirements
- Funding is not available for one-time, special or annual events, annual operating funds, political or religious causes, or endowments.
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To be considered for a grant an organization must:
- Have a current 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation from the Internal Revenue Service or be a governmental organization located in Kent County and serve local residents.
- Have the support of their board of directors and executive director for the submitted project(s).
- Have a sustainability plan in place for the proposed project.
- Be able to demonstrate diversity of race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, ability and gender in their boards, staff and constituents.
- Seek other sources of funding and inform us of the status of those requests.
- Interested in submitting a capital campaign grant request? Please click here to review the Community Foundation's criteria for consideration.
Fund for Community Good Categories:
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Academic Achievement
Does your program fit here? -
Economic Prosperity
Does your program fit here? -
Healthy Ecosystems
Does your program fit here? -
Healthy People
Does your program fit here? -
Social Enrichment
Does your program fit here? -
Vibrant Neighborhoods
Does your program fit here?
3. Submit a pre-application.
To submit a pre-application for the Fund for Community Good, click here.
If you have any questions about the grant application process or if you'd like to speak with a program officer about your program, please email onlinegrants@grfoundation.org or call 616.454.1751.